Violin-key.



No. 639,34I. Patented Dec. I9, |899. C. J. BEAUVAIS.

VIOLIN KEY.

(Application filed Oct. 21, 1899.)

W0 Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CRITTENDN J. BEAUVAIS, VOF PHGNIX, ARIZONA TERRITORY.

VIOLIN-KEY.-

SPEFICATIN forming part of Letters Patent No. 639,341, dated December 1.9, 1895-9.. Application filed October 21, 1899. Serial No. 784,368. (No modelh To all whom it may concer/1,;

Be it known that I, OEITTENDEN J. BEAU- VAIS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Phoenix, in the county of Maricopa and Territory of Arizona, have invented a new and useful Violin-Key, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to tuning pegs or keys; and it has for its object to provide a construction in which the key may have the desired friction applied thereto while the string is being drawn to the proper tension to prevent loosening` of the string and a consequent drop in pitch of the instrument. With the present structure also the kcymay loe clamped securely against any movement whatever when desired. The key is adapted to be passed through the head in the usual manner and has clamping-faces, which are adapted to be engaged with the inner and outer faces of one side of the head through the medium of a thumb-nut.

In the drawings forming a portion of this specification, and in which similar numerals of reference designatelike and corresponding parts in the several views, Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the head of a violin with a key in place. Fig. 2 is a view of the key, partially in section and partially in elevation and showing the part-s assembledj the position of the adjacent portions of the head of the violin being indicated in dotted lines. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view showing the parts of the key disassembled.

Referring now to the drawings, the key comprises a stem the outer end of which is provided with an enlarged thumb-piece or head 5 of usual construction and by means of which the key is rotated to wind up the string of the instrument. That portion of the stem adjacent the head is threaded, as

showin at 6, and for a purpose to be presently explained. At the outer end of the threaded portion 6 the stem is formed square in crosssection for a short distance, as shown at '7, the diagonal of the squared portion being somewhat less in length than the diameter of the cylindrical threaded portion 6. From the squared portion '7 the stem is reduced in diameter and is formed cylindrical, as shown at 8, the outer end of the cylindrical portion being tapered to astring-reeeiving drum 9,

at the outer end of which is formed an enlarged bearing 10, which is at the outer terminus of the key.

Upon the threaded portion 6 and engaging the threads thereof is disposed a winged thu mb-n ut 1l, which is adapted for movement upon the threads to exert pressure against a sleeve 12, disposed upon the squared port-ion of the stem. This sleeve 12 has its end adjacent the nut enlarged to the external diameter of the nut, and this enlarged end of the sleeve is adapted for direct engagement by the nut for movement thereby upon the squared portion of the stem, the bore of the sleeve being squared, as shown, to snugly fit the squared portion. A radial flange 13 is formed upon the sleeve 12, and the outer face of this flange lies substantially midwayof the ends of the sleeve and formsaclamping-face which in practice engages the outer side of the head of the violin, as hereinafter described.

In the cylindrical portion 8 of the stem are formed bayonet-slots 14, the outer ends of which extend longitudinally of the stem, and these bayonet-slots are adapted to receive lugs 15, extending inwardly and radially of the perforation of a collar or plate 16, which plate in practice is passed over the bearing end 10 of the stem and is moved to engage the lugs 15 with the bayonet-slots.

In practice the nut 11 is first passed over the end of the stem of the key and engaged with the threads of the portioneG, after which the sleeve is disposed upon the squared portion 7, as shown in Fig. 2. The stem of the key is then passed through a perforation 17 in one side of the head of' a violin, and the plate 16 is threaded upon the stem of the key to lie between the sides of the head of the violin. The key is then adjusted with its bearing portion 10 in an opposite perforation 18, and the plate 16 is moved to engage its lugs 15 with the bayonet-slots 14. By then screwing the nut 11 in the direction of the plate 16 the sleeve 12 is moved longitudinally of the key until the clamping-face of the flange 13 engages the outer surface of the head of the violin. Further movement of the nut 11 will draw the plate 16 against the opposite face of the side of the head and will thus clamp the key firmly against rotation. lVhen it is desired to adjust a string, the key IOS) is moved in one direction or the other after lirst turning the thumb-nut backwardly sufiiciently far to destroy the clamping action.

From the above description it will be seen that with the present construction the clamping-faces may be easily and quickly operated, the thumb-nut being in such a position with respect to the head of the key as to permit the fingers to slip easily from the key to the nut for tightening the clamp, and, moreover, the construction and arrangement shown do not require the use of an implement for releasing or tightening the parts. Also, as will be4 readily seen, by Winding the string over the drum 9 the strain of the string upon the drum will tend to turn the stem of the key in a direction to move it with respect to the thumbnut to draw the nut against the outer face of the head of the violin, Ithus preventing any accidental loosening of the key.

It will of course be understood that the specific structure shown may be varied to adapt the keys to various instruments and that any suitable materials may be employed for the various parts Without departing from the spirit of the invention.

l. A key comprising a stem having a stringreceiving drum, a clamping element mounted upon the stem, a second clamping element mounted also upon the stem', and a nut upon the stem and adapted to move one of the said elements to exert a clamping action relatively to the other element.

2. A key comprising` a stem having a head and a string-receiving drinn, a portion of the stem adjacent the head being threaded, a clamping element upon the stem, a second clamping element upon the stem and a nut upon the threads of the stem and adapted to move one of the elements to exert a clamping action relatively to the other clamping element.

3. A key comprising a stem having a head i and a string-receiving drum, a 'portion of 45 upon the stem, and a nut engaging the threads of the stem and adapted to exert a clamping action in the direction of the plate.

5. A key comprising a stem having a head and a string-receiving drum, the stem being threaded adjacent the head, a clamping-plate removably connected With the stem, a sleeve slidably mounted upon the stem and adapted to coperate with the clamping-plate, and a Winged nut upon the threads of the stem and adapted to engage the sleeve and move it in the direction of the clamping-plate.

6. A key comprising a stem having a head and a string-receiving d ru m, a clamping-plate upon the stem, threads upon the stem adjacent the head, and athumb-nut engaging the threads and adapted for movement in the direction of the clamping-plate to exert a gripping action thereagainst.

7. A key comprising a stem having a head and a string-receiving drum, said stem having threads adjacent the head, a clamping-plate removably connected with the stem, a sleeve slidably disposed upon an angular portion of the stem, and a thumb-nut engaging the threads and adapted to engage the sleeve and move it in the direction' of the clam ping-plate.

In testimony that i claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

CRITTENDEN J. BEAUVAIS.

Vitnesses:

M. PERRY HAHN, THEoDoRE DALTON. 

